National Stadium faces fresh CAF inspection
Mqondisi Dube | Monday August 10, 2026 06:00
A successful inspection would pave the way for the return of Botswana's national team matches and CAF interclub competitions to the capital. Currently, Francistown's Obed Itani Chilume Stadium remains the country's only CAF-certified venue. Botswana Football Association president Tariq Babitseng is optimistic the venue could finally pass the test after several failed inspections. 'We are pushing to host Category Three matches so that we can be able to host all our home games here, that is the national teams and CAF club competitions,' Babitseng said.
He said neighbouring countries such as Namibia and Zimbabwe, which currently do not have CAF-approved stadiums, have previously used Obed Itani Chilume Stadium to host their international matches. According to him, the return of the National Stadium to the CAF-approved list would ease the demand on the Francistown facility and provide an additional venue for regional fixtures. Babitseng said the National Stadium must get the green light in view of Botswana's 2028 Africa Cup of Nations finals bid.
Botswana is bidding to host the biennial continental finals alongside South Africa and Zimbabwe. The country failed in its effort to organise the 2027 AFCON finals, which went to a joint bid involving Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The National Stadium has faced hurdles in its effort to pass the homologation test, with Botswana National Sport Commission officials recently telling the National Assembly that the facility has structural challenges.
The changing rooms, which are situated in the eastern stand, popularly known as Panda, should be moved to the Grand Stand to the west. However, that does not form requirements for next week's inspection. The pitch is being readied, and the lights are being fixed ahead of the inspection. FNB Premiership champions, Gaborone United and Orange FA Cup winners, Jwaneng Galaxy, will keep their fingers crossed as they are due to participate in the Champions League and Confederations Cup competitions respectively.